former president barack obama and former first lady Michelle Obama Appear at the opening ceremony together Obama Presidential Center Chicago Museum. The ceremony sparked renewed public interest in their daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.
Although the sisters spent much of their childhoods in the White House, they have since led lives outside of electoral politics. Malia and Sasha were 10 and 8 years old respectively when their father was elected as the 44th President. They lived in the White House during Obama’s two terms in office from 2009 to 2017.
Today, both women have finished college, pursued their own interests and largely avoided leveraging their famous last names, according to their parents.
Barack Obama said in 2024 that his daughters would “go to great lengths” not to capitalize on the Obama brand as they build their own careers and identities.
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Malia Obama pursues filmmaking career
The eldest daughter, Malia Obama, has blazed a trail in the entertainment industry.
Maria was born in Chicago on July 4, 1998. After graduating from high school, she took a year off and entered Harvard University. Since graduating in 2021, she has participated in the production of many well-known film and television works.
Maria interned in the entertainment industry both before and during college. She later contributed as a writer to Donald Glover’s Amazon series “Swarm.” In 2024, Maria debuted her short film Heart at the Sundance Film Festival. She credits the project to “Maria Ann,” using her middle name professionally instead of Obama.
Barak later revealed that he initially questioned the decision but respected her desire to let audiences independently evaluate her work. Michelle echoed that sentiment, saying her daughters want opportunities through hard work rather than family connections.
Malia was also involved in social activities. She participated in the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations with her sister.
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Sasha Obama started life in Los Angeles
Sasha Obama has taken a different path while staying close to her family and sister.
Sasha was born in Chicago on June 10, 2001. She first studied at the University of Michigan and then transferred to the University of Southern California. She will graduate with a degree in Sociology in 2023.
Friends and family often describe Sasha as confident and outspoken. Barrack has said she has never been intimidated by titles or seniority and is happy to share her opinions. “My youngest daughter, Sasha, is full of life and the comedian in the family,” Barak tells People.
After college, Sasha moved to Los Angeles where she now lives with Malia. Michelle has spoken out about how proud she is that the sisters have chosen to live together and remain close to each other after years of growing up in unusual circumstances.
The former first lady said the sisters have a unique understanding because they experienced adolescence under constant public scrutiny inside the White House. “They still have PTSD from having people talk into their wrist microphones and glasses when they were trying to go to the concert,” Barak shared in an interview on “The Late Show.”
